Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 4: General Rules
• Method 2 of 4: Suitable home
• Method 3 of 4: Environment
• Method 4 of 4: Food and Drink
• Tips
• Warnings

Ball-shaped, or royal pythons are very popular among those who want to have a snake at home. Like all snakes, ball pythons require careful grooming. The pythons of this species live up to thirty years, and for their health they require very specific living conditions. With the right care, the globular python will live a long life and bring you a lot of joy.

Steps

Method 1 of 4: General Rules

1. 1 Remember their size. All snakes, including globular pythons, grow throughout their lives. Ball pythons grow to a large size, and they need appropriate conditions. You should take this into account before starting a spherical python at home.
   • Globular pythons grow to about one and a half meters in length.
   • Provide enough space for an adult python.
   • A snake of this size should be fed with large rodents.
2. 2 Get ready for long-term grooming of your pet. Taking care of any pet requires a lot of effort and time. Throughout the life of a globular python, the animal must be fed, cleaned and monitored for its health. Before adopting a globular python, consider whether you are ready to take proper care of it.
   • Individual globular pythons lived up to 40 years.
   • Typically, globular pythons live 20-30 years.
3. 3 Choose a globular python. Once you've decided that you can provide your pet with proper care, it's time to find one. Fortunately, ball pythons are very popular as pets and can be found in many pet stores. Start choosing a python after you are ready to care for it.
   • Ball pythons are available from reptile breeders.
   • Try visiting the reptile exhibit, where you can also find globular pythons.
   • Before purchasing a globular python, make sure it is capable of eating and is well fed.
4. 4 Know how often you can handle the ball python. In the wild, snakes are not accustomed to being picked up. Therefore, you should know when you can take your pet and hold it in your arms, and when it can stress him. To determine if a globular python is ready to communicate with you, pay attention to the following:
   • Give your pet at least one meal in its new home before picking it up.
   • Young snakes should be handled no more than once a week.
   • Adult snakes can be handled about once a week.
   • Do not touch the ball python after eating. Wait about two days after your pet has eaten to feel comfortable.
5. 5 Be careful. If you are going to get a globular python, you have to take good care of its health. To do this, you need to monitor the behavior of the snake and its actions in order to notice the warning signs in time. Look for the following common signs of illness:
   • In its normal state, the spherical python folds into rings. If the snake lies straight or lifts its head, this may indicate an illness.
   • If the ball python spends a lot of time in the water, it may be sick or not feeling well.
   • In case of respiratory problems, the snake may wheeze or run mucus from the nose.
   • Loose or bloody stools indicate digestive problems. If the snake does not empty for more than ten days, it may be constipated.
   • Refusal to eat may indicate an infection.

Method 2 of 4: Suitable home

1. 1 Provide the snake with a large enough home. Globular pythons need a suitable space for a normal life. A terrarium that is too spacious or cramped will cause stress and discomfort for the snake. When choosing the right home for your pet, follow these guidelines:
   • An adult globular python needs a 100x50x30 centimeters dwelling.
   • A mesh lid can be used, but this will make it more difficult to maintain the required humidity in the enclosure.
   • A smaller house is required for a young snake.
2. 2 Clean the terrarium often. It is necessary to ensure that the python's dwelling is very clean. Keeping your pet clean will keep your pet healthy and in a good mood. Clean and dry your cage regularly. Partial cleaning will remove dirt in time, and you will need to do less general cleaning.
   • Remove your pet's waste from the enclosure daily.
   • If you notice debris or dirt in the enclosure, remove it immediately.
3. 3 Empty the terrarium completely. When caring for a spherical python, it is necessary to regularly arrange a general cleaning in his home. It is generally recommended to completely clean the enclosure and all of its contents once a month. A thorough cleaning will help keep your pet healthy and prevent possible diseases.
   • Remove the python from the enclosure before complete cleaning.
   • Remove all items from the enclosure and clean them. All wooden items, boxes and other decorations should be cleaned.
   • You can clean the enclosure with a bleach solution in water. In this case, the concentration of bleach should not exceed 5%.
   • Wait until the terrarium is completely dry before returning the decorations and launching the ball python.
4. 4 Make sure the python can't slip away. Snakes are skilled fugitives, so you need to be on the safe side and close the terrarium securely. Remember the following rules:
   • All outlets and openings must be covered.
   • Attach the enclosure cover securely. Make sure that the snake cannot move the cover.
   • Make sure that there are no small holes and crevices through which the python could slip out of its enclosure.

Method 3 of 4: Environment

1. 1 Maintain the temperature differential. Under natural conditions, the snake moves between areas with different temperatures. Snakes are cold-blooded animals and the ambient temperature affects their level of activity. To recreate natural conditions, it is necessary to maintain the temperature difference in the terrarium.
   • The temperature in the warm-up area should be 31–36 ° C.
   • The overall temperature of the enclosure should be between 26-27 ° C.
   • Measure the temperature in warm and cold places in the enclosure with two thermometers.
   • It is possible to warm up the terrarium with tray heaters or heating lamps.
2. 2 Consider additional lighting. Additional lighting can be installed in the ball python terrarium, although this is not required. If you want a brighter environment, try using full spectrum fluorescent lights. Additional lighting will make the environment in the terrarium more natural and cozy for your pet.
   • Use 12 hour light cycles. Turn on the lamps for 12 hours during the day and turn them off at night.
   • Don't leave the lights on overnight. Excessive exposure to light can stress the snake.
3. 3 Maintain adequate humidity. In order for the snake to stay healthy, it is necessary to maintain a suitable humidity level. This will help your pet stay healthy and will make it easier for him to shed old skin. Remember to control the humidity level in the terrarium.
   • The humidity level should be 50-60%.
4. 4 Choose the right bedding. For a comfortable and safe life, a ball-shaped python needs an appropriate bedding. Some types of bedding are preferable to others because they are more snake-friendly and make cleaning the enclosure easier. Below are several bedding options.
   • Aspen sawdust works well.
   • You can use cypress mulch.
   • Most other mulch-based bedding will work well.
   • Never use cedar or pine material.
5. 5 Don't forget the shelter boxes. The globular python needs places where it can hide and be alone. If the snake is forced to be in an open space all the time, it will become nervous and stressed. To keep the globular python comfortable, be sure to place a box in the terrarium where it can hide.
   • Remember to clean the box every time you clean the enclosure.
   • Ready-made boxes can be purchased at the pet store.
   • Make a box yourself: Take a plastic container or bowl and cut a small round hole.

Method 4 of 4: Food and Drink

1. 1 Find a prey of the right size. The globular python needs prey of the appropriate size to feed. Prey that is too small or too large will cause problems for the snake. Before placing food in the terrarium, make sure it is the correct size.
   • The prey should not be larger than the widest part of the snake.
   • Too large prey can injure the snake.
   • Prey that is too small will keep your pet from getting enough.
2. 2 Do not touch the python after feeding. After eating, snakes need some time to be alone and digest their food. Do not bother the python and do not try to pick him up, otherwise he may regurgitate what he has eaten. Wait at least 24 hours after feeding before picking up the python.
3. 3 Remember to clean up leftover food. If the snake has not eaten something, it should be removed from the enclosure. Do not leave live or dead prey in the enclosure as this can harm your pet's health. To keep the ball python comfortable, always remove leftover food.
   • It is safer to give the snake a pre-killed prey. However, in this case, the leftover food will begin to decompose and should be removed in time if the snake abandons it.
   • Feeding a python live prey can harm it. There have been cases of mice and other rodents attacking the globular pythons and killing them.
4. 4 Follow your feeding schedule. When feeding the globular python, you must adhere to a specific schedule. Regular feeding is good for the snake, in which case you may be able to notice a possible change in appetite. For the best care of the globular python, try to follow these basic rules:
   • Adult globular pythons should be fed once every 1 to 2 weeks.
   • Young globular pythons should be fed 1-2 times a week.
   • A snake's appetite can vary with the seasons. It usually drops during colder periods.
5. 5 Provide your pet with water. Among other things, it is necessary to keep water in the terrarium. If desired, the snake can plunge into the water and relax properly. Stick to the following rules:
   • For young snakes, the water level should be about 2–3 centimeters.
   • Make sure that the container with water cannot be overturned.
   • The water temperature should be 22–26 ° C.
   • The snake will often empty itself into the water. Change the water at least once a week.

Tips

• It is necessary to care for the snake throughout its life.
• The ball python enclosure must be sized appropriately.
• Adequate temperature and humidity must be maintained.
• Provide a place in the terrarium where the python can hide.
• Make sure that the size of the prey does not exceed the thickness of the snake.
• Remember to clean up leftover food.
• Keep the terrarium clean to keep your pet healthy.

Warnings

• Never use cedar or pine sawdust as bedding, as this can cause breathing problems.
• Never leave uneaten food in the cage.